For Helldivers looking to add reliable, heavy firepower to their loadout, the MLS-4X Commando is a strategic choice. Unlocked at level 15 from the Patriotic Administration Center, this expendable missile launcher fills a specific tactical role. This guide breaks down how it works in practice, its pros and cons, and where it fits in the meta.
What is the MLS-4X Commando, and How Do I Use It?
The MLS-4X Commando is a Support Weapon stratagem. When called in, it delivers a four-barrel rocket launcher with four missiles. Its key feature is a dual firing mode: laser-guided and dumb-fire. You toggle between them via the weapon wheel each time you pick up a fresh launcher.
In laser-guided mode, you must keep your aiming reticle on the target to guide the missile. This is ideal for long-range, precise shots against stationary or slow-moving heavy targets. In dumb-fire mode, the rocket travels in a straight line with no guidance, similar to an EAT-17 rocket, which is better for medium-range, reactive shots.
Once you've laser-designated a target, you can actually fire the remaining missiles from the hip, and they will automatically seek that same target. Most players use this to quickly dump all four rockets into a single tough enemy. Remember, the launcher is disposable—once the four shots are spent, you drop it and call in a new one.
How Does the Commando Compare to Other Anti-Tank Options?
The Commando occupies a middle ground. Compared to the expendable EAT-17, the Commando deals less damage per rocket (1,100 vs. 2,000) but has more total damage per drop (4,400 across four rockets vs. the EAT's 4,000 across two). However, its stratagem cooldown is significantly longer (120 seconds base vs. 70 seconds).
Compared to reusable backpack weapons like the Recoilless Rifle or the Railgun, the Commando offers immediate, high burst damage without needing a reload partner or managing a backpack. It's a self-contained solution. Its rockets have full "Anti-Tank II" penetration, meaning they can pierce the heaviest armor, but their low per-shot damage means you must aim for weak points to be efficient.
In practice, this makes the Commando excellent for swiftly dismantling specific heavy unit parts. For example, one missile can blow off a Charger's leg armor, a Hulk's leg, or a Factory Strider's cannon. Two precisely aimed shots can destroy an Automaton Fabricator from a safe distance. It's a weapon for focused demolition rather than sustained skirmishing.
What Are the Commando's Main Strengths and Weaknesses?
Strengths:
High Burst Damage: Four rapid-fire rockets can eliminate a major threat in seconds.
Flexible Engagement: Laser guidance allows for extreme-range shots with no bullet drop, while dumb-fire allows for closer combat.
Armor Penetration: Guaranteed to pierce any heavy armor in the game when hitting it directly.
Logistics Simplicity: No backpack or reload animation required. Use it and lose it.
Weaknesses:
Slow Projectile Speed: The rockets travel slower than other launchers, making it harder to hit fast-moving targets like Speeder Bikes.
Cooldown Dependent: With a long cooldown and only four shots, if you miss or waste rockets, you're without anti-tank support for a while.
Weakpoint Reliant: Its moderate per-shot damage requires aiming for weak points to be truly ammo-efficient against tanks and Bile Titans.
No Spare Mags: You cannot resupply it from your own supply pack; you must use a placed ammo crate or call down a new launcher.
Which Ship Modules Improve the Commando?
To get the most out of the Commando, consider these ship upgrades:
Streamlined Request Process (Patriotic Administration Center): Reduces the cooldown by 10%, bringing it down to 108 seconds. This is highly recommended.
Morale Augmentation (Bridge): A further 5% cooldown reduction for all stratagems.
Streamlined Launch Process (Engineering Bay): Makes the launcher deploy instantly from the Hellpod, which can be a lifesaver in a tight spot.
When Should I Bring the MLS-4X Commando?
The Commando shines in missions where you anticipate clustered, heavy armor. It's particularly strong against the Automatons due to the prevalence of Hulks, Tanks, and Fabricators with stationary weak points. For newer divers assembling their arsenal, it's a powerful tool that doesn't require a team coordination. While some players may look for shortcuts and buy helldivers 2 items or boosts online, understanding and earning gear through gameplay is the most reliable path to mastery. The Commando's niche is delivering a lot of anti-tank power in one package, making it a solid choice for solo players or teams that need to free up other stratagem slots.